Australian research paves the way for pig lung transplants

[Stan]

MELBOURNE – Australian medical researchers said Tuesday they have made advances that could see pig lungs transplanted into humans within a decade.

Pig organs have previously been unsuitable for use in life-saving operations because they stop functioning once in contact with human blood.

But researchers at The Alfred hospital in Melbourne have been able to get around that problem after a separate team at St Vincent's Hospital used genetic modifications to remove one of the key rejection barriers.

"Respiratory physicians from The Alfred have shown that pig lungs can be perfused with human blood and successfully oxygenate the blood for an extended period of time," a spokeswoman for the hospital said.

"This has not been achieved before."

The research means that transplanting pig lungs into people with life-threatening illnesses may be possible in the future.

"The blood went into the lungs without oxygen and came out with oxygen, which is the exact function of the lungs," researcher Dr. Glenn Westall told Melbourne's Herald-Sun newspaper.

"This is a significant advance compared to the experiments that have been performed over the past 20 years."

The Alfred hospital said the advances show that, based on the models tested, transplantation could be successful.

"That noted, clinical trials are probably still five to 10 years away and there is still a significant amount of work to be done," the hospital spokeswoman said.

© Copyright © AFP

SOURCE

[Dottie]

It sounds gross, but porcine and bovine insulin were used in treating diabetes until recombinant types were developed.

[Nan]

And a monkey/baboon heart was transplanted into a baby once too.

[Liz]

Well, God created pigs for a reason, perhaps this is it.

[Dottie]

Nan - -

And to think of it, the transplant was done at a Seventh-day Adventist Hospital! ! !

[Twilight]

Question is, would an Adventist accept a pigs lung?

Mark :-)

[Stan]

gotta wonder which is healthier.

a - having a pig lung

b - being dead

Which follows biblical principals for healthy living best?

[Twilight]

gotta wonder which is healthier.

a - having a pig lung

b - being dead

Which follows biblical principals for healthy living best?

The same argument could be made for eating pork Stan.

I remember that story about the prisoner in China who was force fed pork, but would then vomit it up willingly.

I cannot remember his name, but the guy was an SDA and there is a book out about him.

I am sure someone here will know what I am talking about.

If we took "survival" as our ruling principle, we could validate anything, surely?

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

Pig heart valves are used all the time for transplanting into human hearts. My dad had one that lasted for 10 years. Using a pig valve meant that he did not need to be on any kind of blood thinners, like coumadin, or any other anti-rejection medication. When he had to have the valve replaced the doctors recommended a mechanical valve...and then he had to be on coumadin for the rest of his life to prevent clotting on the valve...

p.s. My dad was an SDA and it didn't bother him that a pig valve was used in his heart surgery. He didn't start oinking or anything.

[Liz]

This is one of those situations where you can discuss it till the cows come home, but until you or a loved are placed in that type of situation you really don't know what you will do.

Rudywoofs, my dad also has a pig valve. He got his maybe two years ago? I don't know why they couldn't put a mechanical one in, but he is doing quite well. I got him a cookie jar shaped like a pig, and we wrote little piggy jokes all over it, I filled it full of his favorite cookies, and when we entered his hospital room we were all snorting as loud as we could. It was funny to me.

While I hate that he needed the operation in the first place, I don't care that it is pig, baboon or dog as long as he is here now giving me fits.

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

This is one of those situations where you can discuss it till the cows come home, but until you or a loved are placed in that type of situation you really don't know what you will do.

Rudywoofs, my dad also has a pig valve. He got his maybe two years ago? I don't know why they couldn't put a mechanical one in, but he is doing quite well. I got him a cookie jar shaped like a pig, and we wrote little piggy jokes all over it, I filled it full of his favorite cookies, and when we entered his hospital room we were all snorting as loud as we could. It was funny to me.

While I hate that he needed the operation in the first place, I don't care that it is pig, baboon or dog as long as he is here now giving me fits.

When a heart valve is put in, the patient can choose whether to have a pig valve (which will not last more than 10 years) or a mechanical valve (which can last indefinitely). The pig valve is preferable to younger men because they don't need to use the coumadin.

[phkrause]

MELBOURNE – Australian medical researchers said Tuesday they have made advances that could see pig lungs transplanted into humans within a decade.

Pig organs have previously been unsuitable for use in life-saving operations because they stop functioning once in contact with human blood.

But researchers at The Alfred hospital in Melbourne have been able to get around that problem after a separate team at St Vincent's Hospital used genetic modifications to remove one of the key rejection barriers.

"Respiratory physicians from The Alfred have shown that pig lungs can be perfused with human blood and successfully oxygenate the blood for an extended period of time," a spokeswoman for the hospital said.

"This has not been achieved before."

The research means that transplanting pig lungs into people with life-threatening illnesses may be possible in the future.

"The blood went into the lungs without oxygen and came out with oxygen, which is the exact function of the lungs," researcher Dr. Glenn Westall told Melbourne's Herald-Sun newspaper.

"This is a significant advance compared to the experiments that have been performed over the past 20 years."

The Alfred hospital said the advances show that, based on the models tested, transplantation could be successful.

"That noted, clinical trials are probably still five to 10 years away and there is still a significant amount of work to be done," the hospital spokeswoman said.

© Copyright © AFP

SOURCE

Wow isn't that something. Should be very interesting, when many are given this choice! Not really sure that this would be a moral or religious one at that! If I'm not mistaken, I believe Jews will not take a pig's valve? They would rather die! But I'm not sure, will have to look into this. If I can get any of my Jewish relatives to talk to me!

pk

[Nan]

I think a larger group would be Muslims, I am not sure whether they would

accept pig parts.

I am not passing judgement on what is right or wrong - I really do not know - and I have not had to face the issue personally.

[phkrause]

I think a larger group would be Muslims, I am not sure whether they would

accept pig parts.

I am not passing judgement on what is right or wrong - I really do not know - and I have not had to face the issue personally.

Would never judge anyone for what they believe!

But I agree about the Muslims, I had completely forgotten about them also probably not accepting anything from a pig.

pk

[Gerr]

Question is, would an Adventist accept a pigs lung?

Mark :-)

Unclean to an unclean. That should prove compatible, wouldn't it?

[phkrause]

Originally Posted By: Twilight

Question is, would an Adventist accept a pigs lung?

Mark :-)

Unclean to an unclean. That should prove compatible, wouldn't it?

Well that's an interesting way to put it! Probably pretty accurate.

pk

[Woody]

Originally Posted By: Twilight

Question is, would an Adventist accept a pigs lung?

Mark :-)

Unclean to an unclean. That should prove compatible, wouldn't it?

Right ON Gerry. I do appreciate your posts now that I've removed my sun glasses.

[Neil D]

Well, God created pigs for a reason, perhaps this is it.

Probably for that......and for bacon...

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

It sounds gross, but porcine and bovine insulin were used in treating diabetes until recombinant types were developed.

And horse urine is used for the manufacturing of Premarin, an estrogen replacement therapy drug that is so commonly used.

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

Question is, would an Adventist accept a pigs lung?

Mark :-)

I don't see any problem in accepting a pig lung if it worked. It's not like you ate it and the common parasites in pork were present. My aunt died a horrible death of cystic fibrosis. A lung transplant would have saved her life.

[pindoc]

p.s. My dad was an SDA and it didn't bother him that a pig valve was used in his heart surgery. He didn't start oinking or anything.

My aunt went to grad school at George Fox U, a Christian college. One of her profs, he has a transplanted heart, said he would just love to be an Adventist and get a transplanted pig's heart, would B a kick in the butt. You know some folks would be in a tizzy.

[SivartM]

This is good! Pig lungs will hopefully be used to save many lives. I hope we can all manage to avoid panic and the word "amalgamation".

[karl]

This is good! Pig lungs will hopefully be used to save many lives. I hope we can all manage to avoid panic and the word "amalgamation".

I would gladly accept trichinosis in exchange for the ability to breathe if I had end-stage lung disease.

[SivartM]

The chances of getting trichinosis from an organ transplant are...?

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

The chances of getting trichinosis from an organ transplant are...?

quite slim, I would think. I'm sure the organ would be tested for every kind of problem as are other human transplant organs are now tested.